Sioen Industries : Trading update for the first quarter of 2018

SIOEN INDUSTRIES

THEOF SIOEN

SIOEN INDUSTRIES NV IS A DIVERSIFIED STOCK QUOTED GROUP WITH AN EXTENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS AND ACTIVITIES: EXTRUSION OF MAN-MADE FIBERS, MANUFACTURER OF WOVEN- AND NON-WOVEN FABRICS AND SCRIMS, COATER OF TECHNICAL TEXTILES, MANUFACTURER OF TECHNICAL PROTECTIVE GARMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE AND PRODUCER OF COLOR DISPERSIONS.

SINCE 1960 GROWTH STOCK QUOTED

TRADING UPDATE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2018

PRESS RELEASE - ARDOOIE, 26 APRIL 2018 - 17H45

REGULATED INFORMATION

IN MILLION EUR	Q1 2018	Q1 2017	DIFFERENCE	ORGANIC	ACQUISITIONS
Coating division	85.8	71.8	+19.5%	+2.5%	+17.0%
Apparel division	33.5	36.3	-7.8%	-7.8%
Chemicals division	12.5	11.7	+6.4%	+6.4%
Total net sales	131.8	119.9	+9.9%	-0.2%	+10.2

For further information/Financial information/Investor relations Geert Asselman, CFO

COATING DIVISION

During the first quarter of 2018 the Coating division realized net external consolidated sales of EUR 85.8 million compared to EUR 71.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, or an increase with 19.5% of which 17.0% relates to growth through acquisitions * and 2.5% is organic growth. Albeit a seasonal effect in "climate sensitive" product lines, demand in our core markets remains strong.

(*) James Dewhurst Group figures are included in the figures of the Sioen Group as from 1 June 2017 onwards.

APPAREL DIVISION

Net external consolidated sales of the Apparel division amounted to EUR 33.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 versus EUR 36.3 million in the first quarter of 2017, or a sales decrease of 7.8%. More intense focus on government tenders has created a more project based sales pattern and had a disproportionate positive impact on the sales in the first quarter of 2017. Sioen is however confident that the long term trend will remain positive.

CHEMICALS DIVISION

In the Chemicals division, external sales increased with 6.4% compared to the same reference period last year. Over the first quarter of 2018 this division realized EUR 12.5 million of sales against EUR 11.7 million in the first quarter of last year.

OUTLOOK

Despite the short term cyclicality, the trend for 2018 looks promising. Demand in our core markets remains strong and boosts raw material prices. Sales pricing strategies are adapted accordingly.

Sioen Industries will continue to pursue growth through the development of new complementary business lines in technical textiles.

Sioen core values:

• • a strong focus on innovation ;

• • customer intimacy ;

• • an extensive product portfolio ;

• • a strong focus on added value products and ;

• • sustained cost efficiency.

are the foundations upon which we build our future.

SIOEN INDUSTRIES GROUP

Full information, the complete annual report and this press release can be found onwww.sioen.com.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR
General Shareholders' meeting	27 April 2018
Half year results 2018(1)	30 August 2018
Trading update third quarter 2018(1)	15 November 2018
Annual results 2018(1)	28 February 2019
(1) Publication aſter stock market closing

For further information/Financial information/Investor relations Geert Asselman, CFO